Staff photo by Michelle CaffreyWashington Township High School senior Laura Lanzelotti holds gauze to her arm after donating a pint of blood to the American Red Cross.

The American Red Cross blood supply has reached emergency levels, following 50,000 fewer donations than expected in June.

The shortfall leaves the Red Cross with half the readily available blood products on hand than at this time last year.

"Blood must be available at a moment's notice when seconds count to help save or sustain a life. We have reached an emergency situation, and the blood will not be there without the immediate response of volunteer blood donors," said Donna M. Morrissey, director of communications with the American Red Cross Blood Services Northeast Division.

"The Red Cross relies upon generous blood donors so we can supply blood when and where it is needed," she said. "Right now, patients in hospitals across the country need you to roll up your sleeve and give the gift of lifesaving blood."

The Red Cross is calling on all eligible blood donors, now more than ever, to give as soon as possible. All blood types are needed, but especially O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative in order to meet patient demand this summer.

An unseasonably early start to spring may be a contributing factor to this year's decrease in donations, according to the Red Cross; many regular donors got an early start on summer activities and aren't taking the time to give blood or platelets.

In addition, this year's mid-week Independence Day holiday has reduced the number of scheduled Red Cross blood drives, since many sponsors, especially businesses, are unable to host drives because employees are taking extended vacations.

Approximately every two seconds, a patient in the United States needs a blood transfusion. Blood and platelets are used for many different kinds of treatments including accident and burns, heart surgery, organ transplants, complications during childbirth and for patients receiving treatment for cancer or sickle cell disease.

Each and every blood donation is crucial, and to reach its goal, the Red Cross is adding emergency blood drives and extending blood drive hours and scheduled drives. In addition, the Red Cross is reaching out to eligible blood donors, blood drive sponsors and community leaders to ask them to recruit blood donors to help meet the needs of patients in communities across the United States.

The American Red Cross has been a primary supplier of lifesaving blood products in the United States for more than 50 years. Eligible volunteer blood donors are asked to call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org/pennjersey to find a blood drive and make appointments.

Individuals who are 17 years of age, or 16 with parental permission in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, meet weight and height requirements of 110 pounds or more, depending on height, and are in generally good health may be eligible to give blood. Donors are asked to bring their Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when coming to donate.